Marketing Done Right: How Starbucks Has Befriended Their Army

I have been in awe for a while over Starbucks’ ability to turn buyers into promoters, and today I received an e-mail that is a perfect example.  The e-mail was as follows:

“Hi,

As you know, Canada Post is on strike. And that means, for as long as this goes on, we won’t be able to send you postcards for your birthday drink you’ve earned.

But rest assured: we’re keeping track of all the good things we’re supposed to send your way. And once the strike is over, we’ll send you those postcards you were supposed to receive – with an extended expiration date so you can enjoy them.

Thanks for your understanding and patience. And if you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-STARBUC.

Starbucks Card Team”

Just to get this straight: I’m receiving an apology e-mail for not receiving a bonus gift due to something outside of their control.  Ahead of time.

Let me point out the awesomeness about this (as if it needs delineating):

• Starbucks offers a free drink for card-holders’ birthdays: This makes people happy because they’re receiving something free; it also attaches a more personal feeling towards Starbucks due to receiving a ‘gift’.  There are some who would argue this increases customer loyalty because it invokes the feeling of obligation to return the favour — which, in this case, would be returning to purchase again.
• This drink has NO size or type limitation: this makes people feel a little giddy for ‘screwing the system’ if they want to get a Venti super-expensive fancy drink….. or, simply, allows people to get the drink they normally would choose.
• This gift can usually be used within a month (or two?) of the person’s actual birthdate: This allows people to not feel a need to use the gift card right away (avoiding any association with stress or rushing).  From the business perspective, it also allows the person more time to potentially forget about cashing in the gift.
• They will not be cancelling (or ignoring) these usual gifts, even though an entity outside of themselves is causing their delay.  They even take it upon themselves to apologize for the delay.  They owned up to something that wasn’t even their fault, and were the better company for it.
• This anticipated message was sent with an affirmation that the expiration date will be extended — in case anyone was worried about getting their gift in time.  This way, even these somewhat caffeine-infused worries are alleviated.

Rest assured indeed!  If Starbucks opened a bank, I would consider switching.

Please sign this petition to help stop the killing of thousands of animals at Hamilton Animal Control

I got this in an e-mail from a friend.  I hate spam as much as the next person, but I wanted to try to get as many signatures as possible and thought this the best way.  Feel free to pass this to others.

Thousands of animals are killed every year by Hamilton Animal Control.  

Please sign this petition! 

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ora-project-accountability-now/

This is the text of the petition:

We the undersigned, request:

that the decision of euthanization be taken collectively by senior staff at the Hamilton City pound and not left in the hands of one person; that the massive and barbaric killing of healthy animals be stopped; that the picking up and killing of pets found roaming outside be stopped; that a policy of trap, neuter and return (TNR) be implemented in place of scheduled killing; that a low cost spay and neuter be made available to help curb the pet population; that the fees for reclaiming an animal be reduced; and that the pound be opened up to the public for adoption.

Since their tragic deaths on April 29th, Treena and Britain have become angelic feline symbols for the thousands of animals killed every year at the Hamilton City Animal Control (HAC), a high intake, high kill pound. According to the pound manager, HAC receives around 5,000 animals a year, likely more. Of these numbers, the only animals who escape death are the ones saved via rescue, a HAC privilege extended only to local grassroots groups like ORA.

Twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday morning, and before the opening of the pound, the vet technician administers horse sedatives to the animals marked for death. Soon after, the vet arrives to put an end to their innocent little lives.

Twice a week, every week. The same routine of death.

HAC does not have a website or a bulletin which would allow the public to adopt directly, or even to retrieve unfortunate pets that have been picked up by Hamilton Animal Control. As per their bylaws, HAC can pick up any roaming cat. If no one comes to claim the cat, the cat will summarily be killed. The majority of the cats saved by rescue groups from HAC are tame, many have been neutered or spayed, and some have unfortunately been declawed. These signs point to the fact that, at some point in time, most, if not all, of these animals were someone’s pets.

To demonstrate our outrage against the senseless and unnecessary killing of thousands of animals each year at the HAC, ORA is committed to collecting your signatures for this very important petition that demands for immediate and much-needed change.

It is our responsibility to collectively solicit HAC to take the proper measures NOW and to stop the weekly slaughter of animals and of people’s pets. HAC’s manager and staff are publicly funded, and ultimately, they must be held accountable for their actions.

Please sign this petition  to pressure HAC to change their policy and stop the massive routine  killing of  innocent lives. Please go to:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ora-project-accountability-now/

and sign now and crosspost!

Claudia Vecchio

Volunteer Chairperson

ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals

www.orarescue.org

Tel: 416 726 5762

Blue Jays 2011 Season Starts This Friday!!

Okay I just had to post this.  I hope it works. [Ed: It doesn’t. But click on the link to watch the full version on YouTube!]

I love my Blue Jays!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_veqh8b5eg&feature=player_embedded

Helpful Real Estate Agent in Toronto

Hey all, I just wanted to do a little thanking promo for a real estate agent who I found really helpful (and nice!) when searching for an apartment in downtown Toronto. Her name is Aron McGrath and her website can be found here: http://www.supegui.com/

So if you are looking to rent or buy, consider giving her a call!